SickSorry's Top Ten Free2Play Games.

Sicksorry

Hello folks, I hope all is well. For my very first post of Interest on MSE.com's Freebie Forum I wanted to bring something to it that people might find interesting and be able to use. With that, I figured I'd post about what I know, and given I'm a mad mental gamer, I guessed you fine folks could use a bit of my insight on some of the best Free to Play PC games that are available to play,
right now for free.

So firstly...

What Is a Free2Play game?

In recent months, the gaming Industry has seen a large shift towards
the production of these large scale 'Free2Play' games as they increase in popularity.

The majority of these games tend to be online games in the same style of Triple A Games like Modern Warfare 3 or World of Warcraft. Large Companies such as EA, Gamersfirst and Ubisoft are creating retail quality PC games for you to play for free no strings attached. These games are typically supported by in Game "Cash Shops" and "Premium Memberships" which offer vanity Items and In game "XP" Gains in return for money. Gamers who spend money on these Items can often plough three, four and five times more cash into a game than if they bought a retail title from the shop and the Mainstream gaming industry has slowly started coming round to this.


Ahh, wait.. So It's a con to lure you in then so you spend money?

Funnily enough...it's not. Developers are realising that the Free playing players are just as important to them as the ones who Pay2Play. After all, If no one is playing the game, then who are the people who are paying to play the game going to fight against? With that in mind, Free2Play games can often have a higher player base than some games that cost you money to buy. Now, sadly, many company's abuse this "Cash Shop" function and offer Weapons and Items that will offer more power and an advantage over the free players to those who are willing to pay. I believe this is not a cool route for the developers to go down and so My top ten guide will give you a list of the best of these games, that tend to avoid such trends where Free Playing Players are treated just as fairly as those who choose to Pay. I play Most of the ones I've listed regularly, and Will be happy to show you around them if you choose to jump in and play.

So... with No Further Ado... My Top Ten.

1. APB Reloaded (gamersfirst) (Wiki Page)
APB:Reloaded is a Third Person Shooter game where you take to the streets are either an Enforcer or a Criminal. Both Sides compete against each other in a variety of missions such as Take and Hold, Deathmatch and Races. The game allows you to customise every single aspect of your character and your ride. This is one of my favorite games and I play it a few times each week. I play on the EU Patriot server under the names Weerick and ShiftMcrae so feel free to add me if you decide to play.

2. Team Fortress 2 (Valve) (Wiki Page)
Team Fortress 2 is without a doubt one of the PC's most popular first person shooters. With it's quirky style, fast action game play and love of Hats (I know right..hats?) It's held a top spot on many a gamers heart for the past few years now. Only Recently has TF2 turned into a Free2Play game and it is currently enjoying a large surge in it's player base. It's very easy to pick up and play and isn't too hard on your PC's processor either. The most basic of CPU's should run this with fair ease.
*Requires (Steam) to be installed to play.

3. Champions Online (Cryptic) (Wiki Page)
Is it Superman? Is it the Silver Surfer? Noo! It's The Incredible Flying Turkeyman from Mars....or at least it could be as Champions Online allows you to, play, create and customize your very own Superhero complete with super powers and abilities. CO has a wealth of recently released Comic Book inspired content for you to play for free, so jump right in and team up with other like minded super Heroes now.

4. War Inc. (Arktos)
War, a bloody, dirty business. Jump in on some 16 vs 16 player action in a fight for victory. A fantastic looking and feeling third person Modern Warfare style game that will require a sharp eye and fast reflexes as you play with one aim in Mind..to win. Everything that can be bought in this game with real money can be earned by simply playing the game, including vanity items such as war masks, golden guns and crazy outfits and boosts.

5. Age Of Conan (Funcom) (Wiki Page)
A Recent addition to the free2play genre, Age of Conan drops you into the realm and lands of Conan The Barbarian, and it is up to you to decide your fate as you fight with or against other players as you battle everything from vicious cannibals to mythological creatures. Conan has a large Single player story that takes place in a land that is populated by other players, all fighting to to become a champion of the lands.

6.Quake Live (ID) (Wiki Page)
Re-live the classic days of the First Person Shooter Quake in Quake Live A full action title that runs flawlessly within your web browser. With a large selection of modes and weapons to pick from Quake Live pits you in a fast and furious series of area based gun play action. It's fast paced, frantic fun brought to you by the creators of DOOM and Wolvenstein.

7. CrimeCraft: Bleedout (Vogster) (Wiki Page)
A good aim and brass balls are what is needed to survive in Sunrise City. Gain notoriety and fame with other players and the clans of the game by crafting and fighting your way to the top. Powered by the Unreal Engine, CrimeCraft delivers some cracking third person player vs player game play in a variety of modes and you can hone your skills by racking up kills against hordes of Computer controlled players. It's dark, quirky and holds a stunning story that unfolds throughout the Bleedout expansion.

8. Lord Of The Rings Online (Turbine) (Wiki Page)
Travel the lands from The Shire to Mordor as you take the place of a champion who's actions and story compliment the tales of the Trilogy. LOTRO offers a wealth of content to play for free and enjoy. Take the part of a Human, Hobbit or elf as you fight against player or computer.

9. Global Agenda (Hi Rez) (Wiki Page)
Post Apocalyptic action game. Global Agenda is a stunning looking game that offers vast landscapes, a deep story and plenty of
full on action packed missions. Global Agenda has a style about it that puts AAA games to shame. It even offers a tonne of player vs player game modes as well when you want to take a break from the main core of the game.

10. Bounty Hounds (Namco Bandai) (Wiki Page)
Bounty Hounds is an online action RPG, with a distinctive Japanese feel to it. Fight alongside and control vast, customisable robots against scores of Aliens, robots and human hybrids. If you like the Final Fantasy games, you'll love this.



If you have any questions about any of these games, feel free to just fire them over. I Myself have found that over the past six months of gaming on the PC I've stopped spending money on my Xbox 360 as I rarely look at it these days.

Regards,

SickSorry.

Sicksorry

Can I request for this to be moved to the Tech Forum, perhaps it will gather more interest over there.